In brief: Kala Waterfall baritone ukulele (solid mahogany)

I am documenting this appraisal from a guitar player's perspective because I am a guitar player & this is a guitar blog after all. I purchased this ukulele for a simple reason - it features a guitar tuning (top 4 strings of the guitar: E / B / G / D) therefore I need not re-think my playing while handling one.

LIKES

• solid build
• smooth tuners
• ergonomic body edge design
• truss rod included
• warm tones

DISLIKES

• some evidence of patchy fretboard stains
• dark inlays against a dark fretboard

The thing about baritone ukulele is that, the size is almost that of a travel guitar so handling one is a familiar affair when you are a guitar player first & foremost. KALA is indeed one of the leading ukulele brands & the quality on show here is above expectations. I'm just a wee bit annoyed by the patchy stains on the fretboard which are more visible from a playing perspective. Also, I hope the manufacturer re-thinks the application of inlays which are too close, colour-wise, to the fretboard hue. The tones coming from this one are warm & favours the fingerpickers more so than the strummers; thanks to the all solid mahogany body for the most part. I particularly like the rounded body edges which make playing very pleasant compounded by the satin finish so that sticky feeling when your sweating arms & hands are in contact with the instrument is a highly unlikely affair. 

Also, coming from the guitar camp, I wish the frets are a little beefier to supplement quick single note runs during solos but then again, this is a ukulele to begin with, extended solos belong to the electric guitar so quit whining.

Special mention goes to the good people at Ukulele Movement for the very non-intrusive shopping experience.

Final rating: 89%

KALA Wave Series Baritone all solid (mahogany) ukulele

• List: $479
• Availability: Ukulele Movement
• Bag included

Pics: KALA

Devil's Monday

I'm taking every opportunity to remind everyone that some of your guitar's default mounting ring is unable to frame Seymour Duncan pickups, especially the TB models. Just a gentle reminder that SD widened the pickup's dimension (length) in addition to the pole pieces spacing to accommodate the F-space.

This version you see above, was provided by the manufacturer to specifically fit the TB pickups. The entire pickup passes through easily.

61st

It's the nation's 61st birthday. I'm not much of a birthday person, I don't even celebrate mine so the nation's birthday is a non tangential affair. Yes, I am a proud citizen of this country & I love the nation but I continue to be estranged from the current narrative. I have stopped watching the National Day parade on TV because I see the people who are making my life miserable here, smiling away.

However, this year, one of the songs (still wondering why more than one song was needed this year) composed for the nation's birthday actually features a guitar. The tune's catchy & puts people in festive exuberance unlike the other song that meddled with melancholy. I do not wish to be specific but IYKYK.

Kala u (3)

After a few days of playing, one of the KALA Baritone ukulele strings snapped. It's most probably due to sharp edges at the nut. Ordered this pack from Swee Lee & would like to appreciate their efforts in making such strings available despite them not having any baritone ukulele in their inventory.

These are ball end strings so it removes the math of tying, winding & securing the strings at the tail end while keeping things visually presentable. My only grip here is that the strings should be of a single colour instead of the four different ones you see here.

Re-string Friday

Not a working day for me, decided to spend some time with this purple menace after my morning walk. 

I had a set of 10s installed previously & the neck bowed despite the guitar tuned down a whole step. Switched to 9.5s this time, guitar was tuned a half step down. I have decided that this guitar should not be in standard tuning to serve my needs for heavy riffing. Looking forward to more gear time this long weekend.

Nargaroth @ SG

Legions of the dark, be informed that the German dark authority known as Nargaroth, will unleash its sonic assault come September 2026. It is hoped that the details captured above would suffice to trigger your latent interest.

Pic: BMS

Kala u (2)

This is me preferred ukulele. It's a KALA & purchased from this store called Ukulele Movement:

• All solid mahogany body
• Truss rod included
• Baritone scale length
• Ebony fretboard

The decision to finally purchase a ukulele was compounded by the fact that the store accepts CDC vouchers as payments.

To be continued...

National Day deals @ SL

Swee Lee is having seasonal discounts (National Day 2026) for selected products. 

I'm attracted to this Fender FSR Hybrid II P-bass. Usually not a finished headstock fan but this one looks very flushed together with the rosewood 'board. That white pickguard adds class, IMO. This is about the only thing I'm interested in this time round 😅

Pic: SL web store

MoMM (65)

I listened to this online & was not expecting to purchase a copy. This acquisition was more of an attempt to supplement the need for grandiose black metal riffing & composition ideas. Saying this upfront because there are (to me) no outstanding numbers in this collection. Songs are mostly unnecessarily lengthy (especially the intros) & patched with orchestration to remind listeners, ardent followers & newbies alike, the Dimmu Borgir identity. However, the staunch listeners would agree that things took a turn in this aspect after Death Cult Armageddon (2003). But this is definitely not a shabby effort. FYI, Grand Serpent Rising is DB's eleventh LP, the first after Galder departed in 2024.

Kala u

Totally out of my comfort zone, totally unnecessary but went ahead anyway.

To be continued...

GM-II-FX

Just look at this one; isn't it simply attractive? Yes - simple & attractive. It's merely a Grass Roots but as the model citation suggests, it's a Grass Roots (G) version of the ESP M-II. I'd rather spend money on this one as opposed to a lower tier LTD because those cost too much these days. Really hope this would make it here regardless of when that would be.

Pic: ESP Japan

TOD100N

We end July in the knowledge that the TOD model moves one up to become the TOD100. The guitar has an immediate visual impact with the exposed layers at the elbow rest area. This finish is referred to as the natural high (gloss).

This rather pale version is called the toasted marshmallow (matte). Visual distractions aside, it's good to know that the TOD100 feature a solid body. The natural high version sports a solid spruce top while this pale beast has a flame maple top. Both versions have solid okume backs & sides.

One of the new feature highlights for this TOD version is the smoother neck-to-body joint. It's especially useful for those who venture up the upper fret area.

The other note worthy revision - double hole bridge. This offers a tighter grip but a little fiddly which I discovered while dealing with the AUP10N. I'm just happy to see the TOD100 moving a tier up in terms of features as opposed to being another obligatory signature adventure.

Pics: Ibanez

Baby Terror

Orange is still banking on its Terror hallmark to pre-empt players on the potential gain capacity of its amps. This Baby Terror is no different albeit the diminished dimensions. Interested parties need to be informed of its solidstate nature instead of being tube-driven. The promo & appraisal clips out there are portraying this one to be worth its price & demeanour. 

My only beef with any amp of this nature is the fact that they are powered by adapters instead of pin-plug power cords. This contributes to humming especially if you have pedals with a gain function plugged in.

Pics: Orange

Active Modern bottom end

I must say that I find the JB version of the Fender (Japan) Active Modern to be attractive. The subtle appeal here is the fact that the body outline was re-calibrated a little bit to allow access to the 22nd fret. This makes the body look somewhat more compact & contemporary. Then again, I'm not someone who can easily adapt to the bass' (any bass for that matter) overall longer / bigger outline.

Pic: Fender Japan

27 / 7 / curved

This is the 7-string version of the SOLAR ACS model (ACS1.7FRPS) with an extended scale length of 26.5". No idea if 27 frets are a thing in the mean time but SOLAR has its own take which often end up being more affordable than the competitors. Really like the flake finish 👍

Pic: SOLAR

Active modern

New Japanese Stratocaster, Active Modern, they call it. Yes, as the name suggests, it's an active circuitry but with some funky circuit in there to propel the activity & hush things up so you you enjoy playing, not fighting feedback. 

Actually quite intrigued by the 5-bolt neck joint with an elegant cutaway to boot. This guitar reminds me of the Aerodyne model more than anything. I find the Aerodyne more futuristic with the curved top design. Both models feature a hard edge outline, not the rounded version that everyone loves.

Pics: Fender Japan

PRISM mini (2)

Very happy the Laney PRISM mini has a C type access which allows the user to use a power bank to keep it running / charge the internal battery. This should be the standard moving forward; devices with internal batteries are equipped with C type access. In fact, it won't be absurd if pedals are given this feature as well. I had been playing & charging my PRISM mini. By the end of the playing session, the amp was fully charged for the subsequent play episode. Neat.

The King's new guard

Long time King Diamond's guitar maestro, Andy Larocque, had departed the band. Gus G is the new replacement. Larocque had been at the helm for 40 years. It pretty much defined his career. The way I see it, Laroque doesn't sit well with inactivity, so together with Dee, Blakk & Patino, they are entitled to keep their mojo going while they still can. Nothing against the King, but music-wise, it's a good move for Larocque & gang.

Pics: ESP / Metal Injection

GL-200 @ DGMC

LTD's GL-200 is now available at Davis GMC for the price stated above (GL-200 - first mentioned here in February). This is one of those minimalist designs that I like. Back in the day, a Series 200 guitar would  not be listed in this price bracket. The Series 10, 50, 100 & 200 guitars are meant to appeal to the new players out there on a limited budget. In today's context, the guitar tier means nothing when prices are pegged against shipment costs & import duties. If you are agreeable with the asking price, please go ahead.

Pics: ESP

PRISM mini

I told myself not to spend any more money on stuff that don't contribute to frequent use / the manifestation of my preferred tone. This Laney PRISM mini was never going to be on my acquisition list for that reason. I've stopped using my Blackstar FLY 3 amps, Marshall mini amps, etc. for the same reason. 

However, amps with simulation technology should be treated differently. The incorporation of such technology into table top amps are arguably recent. Before this, nobody gives a hoot, only the bigger amps are considered for such incorporation thinking that it would be continuously in demand by the pros. Or so they thought. 

The Laney PRISM mini offers additional goodness for those of us who are constantly using table top amps for ideation or other similar indulgences. The simulation technology on board gives an extra dimension to tone as opposed to merely a get-by episode. Leaving this here before sharing further details on the PRISM mini's capacity after spending weeks with it, discovering its potential & hindrances.

To be continued...

E-Maverick

And so it happened; ESP did an Edwards version of the Maverick. After the ESP & LTD versions in February, the Maverick is now represented in three manifestations. Will a Grass Roots version take place soon? That aside, the Edwards Maverick features a Lil '59 in the neck position instead of a rail type single coil. Reminder: The Maverick features 27 frets.

Pic: ESP Japan

AZES40B @ SL

I see the Ibanez AZES40B in stock at Swee Lee. It's listing for $40 more than its previous incarnation featuring a white pickguard. A different pickugard colour raises the price by $40? I don't think so. We are all looking at a price hike per se which happens with new shipments.

Pic: Ibanez

27

SOLAR now offers a 27-fret model. This here is the ACS1.6FRW sporting a standard 25.5" scale length. ESP & Ibanez did it, now SOLAR has one that should be more affordable than the aforementioned brand names. A GOTOH 1996 bridge in this one. Nice.

Pic: SOLAR

 

Thank you & goodbye: Wayne Charvel

The world remembers Wayne Charvel for his extended guitar tinkering that eventually led to the Charvel brand name. I should have made it a point to purchase these guitars before they were acquired by FMIC. These used to be available at City Music together with Carvin guitars. Those were the days.

Pic: Guitar

Grassroots: Mystique

The good people at ESP are slowly (but surely) cascading their standard models unto the more affordable sub-brands. I sincerely hope this was the byproduct of an internal realization that the LTD models are becoming more expensive (& unreasonable) & pricing many eager players out. This here is the Grassroots Mystique, last manifested as an Edwards iteration. On a personal note, I still can't get over that headstock outline which looks like a glorified mistake.

Pic: ESP Japan

Antares

Kiesel has a new model in its lineup; the Antares. As you can see here, it's an offset design (think: Fender Jaguar / PRS Vela) quite clearly aiming at the shredders among us. I'm still trying to get used to that headstock design but everything else looks awesome. Loving the one-knob option.

Pic: Kiesel

Gone but not forgotten: Mike Browning

Another legend left us - Mike Browning. Together with Trey Azagthoth, they formed Morbid Angel but he left the band due to personal friction with Trey. Subsequent indulgences, Nocturnus / Nocturnus AD, still shocased his drumming prowess. These bands also feature very capable guitarists so they were a hit with me.

Pic: JRmetalzone

Yes & No

Yes - Swee Lee now has baritone ukulele strings (Ernie Ball). $9 per pack, thank you so much.

No - Swee Lee has no baritone ukuleles listed on its web store / available in any showrooms. Duh?!

Pic: Ernie Ball

Fly HG

Still wondering why this took too long to happen. Blackstar's FLY 3 amp is now offered in a high gain manifestation. That NITRO button there offers a more sizzling amp drive often associated with heavy music. 

I currently own the standard version (since 2014), not this high gain version. The default overdrive was indeed insufficient to propel heavy music but I came to terms with it after plugging a Tube Screamer in. I'm looking forward to try this version: 1) I hope the NITRO mode doesn't scoop the midrange 2) The NITRO distortion doesn't make the tone fuzzy in view of the small driver on board.

Pics: Blackstar

Tim's bag

Signature bag. That's right, it's a Tim Henson model to accommodate both acoustic & electric (quoting the manufacturer). 

Don't see anything special / outstanding about the product. Chances are, you can get an equally good / better model from other brand names.

Pics: Ibanez

 

Roto deals

Good deals (@ Swee Lee) if you are agreeable with the Rotosound brand. I'm saying this because there was this point in time when the Rotosound QC was rotten. Every pack of strings was plagued by rust spots, the fresh, out of the shipment box ones were not spared either. 

25.5" = Long Scale?

This is a Gibson Les Paul Custom. We've seen many LP Customs before but this one sports a 25.5" scale length. Gibson is doing well by confusing us with its long scale reference. In the Gibson universe, 25.5" is a long scale length because the instruments are predominantly 24.75". So does this mean the Jackson, ESP, Charvel, Fender & Ibanez fans are actually playing long scaled instruments?

I have no idea if the Gibson employee who documented this actually plays guitar. Do we need a 25.5" scale length to employ drop tunings? Does a 25.5" facilitate better drop tunings? If that's the case, those extended scale length & baritone measurements that go well beyond 25.5" - are they way better for this application or does string gauge help offset scale length issues when it comes to drop tunings? Geez...

Pics: Gibson

Gone but not forgotten: B War

The early Marduk lineup featured Roger Svensson (aka B War). A completely no nonsense bassists who chose not to pick his bass; it's fingers through & through. I'm a fan, of course. Favourite album featuring B War - Panzer Division Marduk / La Grande Danse Macabre.

Pic: RTTP

Assassin 8

Oh man, SOLAR is offering the Assassin features in an 8-string format. The one you see here is the A1.81A (A for active pickup - it's a Fluence Open Core Red). The Assassin concept is fundamentally a black-out guitar featuring a single humbucker, a single control knob & red highlights for the pickup, inlay & truss rod cover - simplet yet very intimidating for those of us who dwell in the metal zone.

Pic: SOLAR

Ice @ SL

Two new colours for the Ibanez Iceman (IC420) this July - this Coral Green Metallic...

.... and this gold top. I noticed that these July releases were already available at Swee Lee ($899) even before the official announcement.

I see the Iceman as a refined Les Paul, both guitars have many things in common: 1) 3-per side tuners 2) Set neck joint 3) Dual humbuckers / 3-way selector / 4 control pots 4) Tune-o-matic (type) bridge. The Iceman appeals to those of us who had enough of the Les Paul's weight & a desire for an extended cutaway arm to promote placement stability when played sitting down. The Iceman is one heck of a cool guitar (no pun intended).

Pic: Ibanez

FF bass @ DGMC

Some very cool - and definitely affordable - fanned fret basses are now available at Davis GMC. If you're that adventurous type who benefits from dropped tunings, a fanned fret option would definitely help proceedings when it comes to string tension. This here is the Bacchus WJB-1MS which lists for $699 (bag included). A sunburst finish is also available. When it comes to value-for-money, the Bacchus name is hard to beat. 

Pic: Deviser

BK @ DGMC

Please be informed that Bare Knuckle pickups are now available at Davis GMC. For those of us who are new to the brand, know that prices are astronomical due to the brand's boutique nature (whatever boutique means to you). Paying for a matching pair of humbuckers could easily get you an entry-level guitar.

Pic: BKFB